Effects of total pressures and equivalence ratios on kerosene/air rotating detonation engines using a paralleling CE/SE method

In this paper,the kerosene/air rotating detonation engines(RDE)are numerically investigated,and the emphasis is laid on the effects of total pressures and equivalence ratios on the operation characteristics of RDE including the initiation,instabilities,and propulsive performance.A hybrid MPI t OpenMP parallel computing model is applied and it is proved to be able to obtain a more effective parallel performance on high performance computing(HPC)systems.A series of cases with the total pressure of 1 MPa,1.5 MPa,2 MPa,and the equivalence ratio of 0.9,1,1.4 are simulated.On one hand,the total pressure shows a significant impact on the instabilities of rotating detonation waves.The instability phenomenon is observed in cases with low total pressure(1 MPa)and weakened with the increase of the total pressure.The total pressure has a small impact on the detonation wave velocity and the specific impulse.On the other hand,the equivalence ratio shows a negligible influence on the instabilities,while it affects the ignition process and accounts for the detonation velocity deficit.It is more difficult to initiate rotating detonation waves directly in the lean fuel operation condition.Little difference was observed in the thrust with different equivalence ratios of 0.9,1,and 1.4.The highest specific impulse was obtained in the lean fuel cases,which is around 2700 s.The findings could provide insights into the understanding of the operation characteristics of kerosene/air RDE.

Effect of equivalence ratio on diesel direct injection spark ignition combustion

Aviation heavy-fuel spark ignition(SI)piston engines have been paid more and more attention in the area of small aviation.Aviation heavy-fuel refers to aviation kerosene or light diesel fuel,which is safer to use and store compared to gasoline fuel.And diesel fuel is more suitable for small aviation application on land.In this study,numerical simulation was performed to evaluate the possibility of switching from gasoline direct injection spark ignition(DISI)to diesel DISI combustion.Diesel was injected into the cylinder by original DI system and ignited by spark.In the simulation,computational models were calibrated by test data from a DI engine.Based on the calibrated models,furthermore,the behavior of diesel DISI combustion was investigated.The results indicate that diesel DISI combustion is slower compared to gasoline,and the knock tendency of diesel in SI combustion is higher.For a diesel/air mixture with an equivalence ratio of 0.6 to 1.4,higher combustion pressure and faster burning rate occur when the equivalence ratios are 1.2 and 1.0,but the latter has a higher possibility of knock.In summary,the SI combustion of diesel fuel with a rich mixture can achieve better combustion performance in the engine.

Cost-Effective Monitoring of the Fuel Air Equivalence-Ratio with a Lambda Sensor and a Microcontroller in a Downdraft Biomass Gasifier

The operation of biomass treatment devices such as gasifiers is based on the control of key parameters that play an important role in product formation. These include: temperature, excess oxygen, relative humidity and biomass composition. This work focuses on excess oxygen and temperature. Unfortunately, flue gas oxygen analyzers are expensive and not accessible to small industries. However, the equivalence ratio is linked to excess oxygen and has the advantage of not depending on biomass composition. This study therefore focuses on the design and development of a device for controlling this equivalence ratio by measuring oxygen concentration using a self-propelled Lambda probe, and a system for monitoring this equivalence ratio using an Arduino Uno 3 microcontroller. The temperature is recorded with an accuracy of ±1.5°C. For a heating time of 10 minutes, the response time to temperature change is around 3 seconds, which is sufficient for the device to function properly. This simple device is an efficient and cost-effective means of checking the equivalence ratio.

Hybrid Multi-Infeed Interaction Factor Calculation Method Considering Voltage Regulation Control Characteristics of Voltage Source Converter

Voltage source converter based high voltage direct current(VSC-HVDC)can participate in voltage regulation by flexible control to help maintain the voltage stability of the power grid.In order to quantitatively evaluate its influence on the voltage interaction between VSC-HVDC and line commutated converter based high voltage direct current(LCC-HVDC),this paper proposes a hybrid multi-infeed interaction factor(HMIIF)calculation method considering the voltage regulation control characteristics of VSC-HVDC.Firstly,for a hybrid multi-infeed high voltage direct current system,an additional equivalent operating admittance matrix is constructed to characterize HVDC equipment characteristics under small disturbance.Secondly,based on the characteristic curve between the reactive power and the voltage of a certain VSC-HVDC project,the additional equivalent operating admittance of VSC-HVDC is derived.The additional equivalent operating admittance matrix calculation method is proposed.Thirdly,the equivalent bus impedance matrix is obtained by modifying the alternating current(AC)system admittance matrix with the additional equivalent operating admittance matrix.On this basis,the HMIIF calculation method based on the equivalent bus impedance ratio is proposed.Finally,the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified in a hybrid dual-infeed high voltage direct current system constructed in Power Systems Computer Aided Design(PSCAD),and the influence of voltage regulation control on HMIIF is analyzed.

Investigation of block foundations resting on soil-rock and rock-rock media under coupled vibrations

In the present study,the dynamic response of block foundations of different equivalent radius to mass（R;/m） ratios under coupled vibrations is investigated for various homogeneous and layered systems.The frequency-dependent stiffness and damping of foundation resting on homogeneous soils and rocks are determined using the half-space theory.The dynamic response characteristics of foundation resting on the layered system considering rock-rock combination are evaluated using finite element program with transmitting boundaries.Frequencies versus amplitude responses of block foundation are obtained for both translational and rotational motion.A new methodology is proposed for determination of dynamic response of block foundations resting on soil-rock and weathered rock-rock system in the form of equations and graphs.The variations of dimensionless natural frequency and dimensionless resonant amplitude with shear wave velocity ratio are investigated for different thicknesses of top soil/weathered rock layer.The dynamic behaviors of block foundations are also analyzed for different rock-rock systems by considering sandstone,shale and limestone underlain by basalt.The variations of stiffness,damping and amplitudes of block foundations with frequency are shown in this study for various rock—rock combinations.In the analysis,two resonant peaks are observed at two different frequencies for both translational and rotational motion.It is observed that the dimensionless resonant amplitudes decrease and natural frequencies increase with increase in shear wave velocity ratio.Finally,the parametric study is performed for block foundations with dimensions of 4 m × 3 m × 2 m and 8m×5m×2m by using generalized graphs.The variations of natural frequency and peak displacement amplitude are also studied for different top layer thicknesses and eccentric moments.

Cassava Groundnut Intercropping: A Sustainable Land Management Practice for Increasing Crop Productivity and Organic Carbon Stock on Smallholder Farms

Cassava-groundnut intercropping is not a common practice among smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone even though both crops are well suited for intercropping. On-farm trials were conducted in three locations (Bai Largor, Bassah, and Njala Kanima) in the Moyamba district during the 2021 cropping season to investigate the efficacy of cassava-groundnut intercropping for increasing crop productivity and soil organic carbon stock on smallholder farms in the Moyamba district, Southern Sierra Leone. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in three replications with treatments of sole groundnut, sole cassava and cassava-groundnut intercropping. Data on the yield and yield components of cassava and groundnut were analysed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 and means were compared using the standard error of difference (SED). The above-ground biomass, number of roots per plant, and fresh root yield of cassava were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by the cassava-based cropping system. Averaged across locations, intercropping cassava with groundnut decreased the above-ground biomass, the number of roots per plant, and fresh root yield of cassava by 17%, 11%, and 17%, respectively. The above-ground biomass, number of pods per plant and fresh pod yield of groundnut were significantly (p 1), the highest net revenue and benefit-cost ratio. The benefit-cost ratio was also favourable for the sole cassava (BCR > 1) but not favourable for the sole groundnut (BCR < 1). Averaged across locations, intercropping cassava with groundnut increased the benefit-cost ratio by 121% and 13% when compared to the sole groundnut and sole cassava. In the event of a 40% yield loss for the cassava and groundnut, the benefit-cost ratio was favourable (1.12) only for the cassava groundnut intercropping system. The net soil organic carbon stock was favourable only for the cassava-groundnut intercrop. Averaged across locations, the net soil organic carbon for the cassava-groundnut intercropping increased by 3.4% when compared to the baseline within one cropping cycle of the cassava (12 months). The results confirm that cassava-groundnut intercropping is a sustainable land management practice that could enhance crop productivity and soil organic carbon stock on smallholder farms.

Analysis on Waxy Corn/Soybean Intercropping Pattern and Economic Benefit

The research mainly analyzed effects of waxy corn/soybean intercropping on yields of the two crops, as well as agronomic characters, and the economic benefits of the mode. The results showed that although yields of waxy corn and soybean went down by 21.19% and 31.04% per unit area, land equivalent ratio（1.48） kept higher than 1, suggesting the intercropping improves land use rate. Besides, due to the practice of intercropping, many characters of waxy corn grew, but of soybean declined. The economic benefits from high to low were waxy corn/soybean intercropping, monoculture of waxy corn, and monoculture of soybean.

Development and testing of a detailed kinetic mechanism of natural gas combustion in internal combustion engine

A detailed chemical mechanism to describe the combustion of natural gas in internal combustion （IC） engine has been developed,which is consisting of 233 reversible reactions and 79 species.This mechanism accounts for the oxidation of methane,ethane,propane and nitrogen.It has been tested using IC engine model of CHEMKIN 4.1.1 and experimental measurements.The performance of the proposed mechanism was evaluated at various equivalence ratios （φ=0.6 to φ=1.3）,initial reactor conditions （Tini=500 to 3500 ℃; Pini=1.0 to 10 atm） and engine speed （2000-7000 rpm）.The proposed kinetic mechanism shows good concordances with GRI3.0 mechanism especially in the prediction of temperature,pressure and major product species （H2O,CO2） profiles at stoichiometric conditions （φ=1.0）.The experimental results of measured cylinder pressure,species fractions were also in agreement with simulation results derived from the proposed kinetic mechanism.The proposed mechanism successfully predicts the formation of gaseous pollutants （CO,NO,NO2,NH3） in the engine exhaust.Although there are some discrepancies among each simulation profile,the proposed detailed mechanism is good to represent the combustion of natural gas in IC engine.

NO_x emission characteristics of hydrogen internal combustion engine

To study the economic advantages of hydrogen internal combustion engine, an experimen- tal study was carried out using a 2.0 L port fuel-injected （PFI） hydrogen internal combustion engine. Influences of fuel-air equivalence ratio φ, speed, and ignition advance angle on heat efficiency were determined. Test results showed that indicated thermal efficiency （ ITE ） firstly increased with fuel- air equivalence ratio, achieved the maximum value of 40. 4% （ φ = 0.3 ）, and then decreased when was more than 0. 3. ITE increased as speed rises. Mechanical efficiency increased as fuel-air equiva- lence ratio increased, whereas mechanical efficiency decreased as speed increased, with maximum mechanical efficiency reaching 90%. Brake thermal efficiency （BTE） was influenced by ITE and me- chanical efficiency, at the maximum value of 35% （φ =0.5, 2 000 r/min）. The optimal ignition ad- vance angle of each condition resulting in the maximum BTE was also studied. With increasing fuel- air equivalence ratio, the optimal ignition angle became closer to the top dead center （ TDC ）. The test results and the conclusions exhibited a guiding role on hydrogen internal combustion engine opti- mization.

Effect of wall temperature and random distribution of micro organic dust particles on their combustion parameters

The effect of wall temperature on the characteristics of random combustion of micro organic particles with recirculation was investigated. The effect of recirculating in micro-combustors is noticeable, hence it is necessary to present a model to describe the combustion process in these technologies. Recirculation phenomenon is evaluated by entering the exhausted heat from the post flam zone into the preheat zone. In this work, for modeling of random situation at the flame front, the source term in the equation of energy was modeled considering random situation for volatizing of particles in preheat zone. The comparison of obtained results from the proposed model by experimental data regards that the random model has a better agreement with experimental data than non-random model. Also, according to the results obtained by this model, wall temperature affects the amount of heat recirculation directly and higher values of wall temperature will lead to higher amounts of burning velocity and flame temperature.

Characterization of premixed swirling methane/air diffusion flame through filtered Rayleigh scattering

Characteristics of a premixed, swirl methane/air diffusion flame at atmospheric pressure are measured by filtered Rayleigh scattering(FRS). Three operating conditions are investigated with the equivalence ratios of the methane/air flame covering a range of 0.67–0.83. Under each condition, single-shot and averaged FRS images over a region measured 39.3×65.6 mm^(2) at seven cross sections of the flame are collected to demonstrate the flame behavior. A gradient calculation algorithm is applied to identify reaction zone locations and structures in the instantaneous FRS measurements.Statistical analysis for the mean FRS measurements is performed by means of joint probability density functions. The experimental results indicate that thermochemical state of the swirl flame is strongly influenced by equivalence ratio, leading to varieties of flame structures and temperature distributions. The gradient of the instantaneous FRS images clearly illustrates the characteristics of the reaction zone. The results also demonstrate that FRS can provide detailed insights into the behavior of turbulent flames.

Three-Dimensional Models for Analyzing the Cyclic Variations in a Lean Burn CNG Engine

Three-dimensional models, consisting of the flame kernel formation model, flame kernel development model and natural gas single step reaction model, are used to analyze the contribution of cyclic equivalence ratio variations to cyclic variations in the compressed natural gas （CNG） lean burn spark ignition engine. Computational results including the contributions of equivalence ratio cyclic variations to each combustion stage and effects of engine speed to the extent of combustion variations are discussed. It is concluded that the equivalence ratio variations affect mostly the main stage of combustion and hardly influence initial kernel development stage.

Flow Characteristics in Compact Thermal Spray Coating Systems with Minimum Length Nozzle

In this study, numerical analysis is performed to adopt the equivalence ratio on the high velocity oxygen fuel （HVOF） thermal spray coating systems equipped with a minimum length nozzle. The analysis is applied to investigate the axisymmetric, steady-state, turbulent, and chemically combusting flow both within the torch and in a free jet region between the torch and the substrate to be coated. The combustion is modeled using a single-step and eddy-dissipation model which assumes that the reaction rate is limited by the turbulent mixing rate of the fuel and oxidant. As the diameter of the nozzle throat is increased, the location of the Mach shock disc moves backward from the nozzle exit. As the throat diameter and the divergent portion are 6 mm and 8 mm, respectively, the pressure in the HVOF system is the lowest at the chamber and the expanding gas is steadily maintained with both high velocity and high temperature for different equivalence ratios. Thus, relatively minor amendments of the equivalence ratio and the geometry of HVOF can lead to improved control over coating characteristics.

Yield performance and optimal nitrogen and phosphorus application rates in wheat and faba bean intercropping

Yield performance in cereal and legume intercropping is related to nutrient management,however,the yield response of companion crops to nitrogen(N)input is inconclusive and only limited efforts have focused on rationed phosphorous(P)fertilization.In this study,two multi-year field experiments were implemented from 2014-2019 under identical conditions.Two factors in a randomized complete block design were adopted in both experiments.In field experiment 1,the two factors included three planting patterns(mono-cropped wheat(MW),mono-cropped faba bean(MF),and wheat and faba bean intercropping(W//F))and four N application rates(N0,0 kg N ha^(-1);N1,90 and 45 kg N ha^(-1) for wheat and faba beans,respectively;N2,180 and 90 kg N ha^(-1) for wheat and faba beans,respectively;and N3,270 and 135 kg N ha^(-1) for wheat and faba beans,respectively).In field experiment 2,the two factors included three P application rates(P0,0 kg P_(2)O_(5) ha^(-1);P1,45 kg P_(2)O_(5) ha^(-1);and P2,90 kg P_(2)O_(5) ha^(-1))and the same three planting patterns(MW,MF,and W//F).The yield performances of inter-and mono-cropped wheat and faba beans under different N and P application rates were analyzed and the optimal N and P rates for intercropped wheat(IW)and MW were estimated.The results revealed that intercropping favored wheat yield and was adverse to faba bean yield.Wheat yield increased by 18-26%,but faba bean yield decreased by 5-21% in W//F compared to MW and MF,respectively.The stimulated IW yield drove the yield advantage in W//F with an average land equivalent ratio(LER)of 1.12.N and P fertilization benefited IW yield,but reduced intercropped faba bean(IF)yield.Nevertheless,the partial LER of wheat(pLER_(wheat))decreased with increasing N application rates,and the partial LER of faba bean(pLER_(faba bean))decreased with increasing P application rates.Thus,LER decreased as N input increased and tended to decline as P rates increased.IW maintained a similar yield as MW,even under reduced 40-50% N fertilizer and 30-40% P fertilizer conditions.The estimated optimum N application rates for IW and MW were 150 and 168 kg ha^(-1),respectively,and 63 and 62 kg ha^(-1) for P_(2)O_(5),respectively.In conclusion,W//F exhibited yield advantages due to stimulated IW yield,but the intercropping yield benefit decreased as N and P inputs increased.Thus,it was concluded that modulated N and P rates could maximize the economic and ecological functions of intercropping.Based on the results,rates of 150 kg N ha^(-1) and 60 kg P_(2)O_(5) ha^(-1) are recommended for IW production in southwestern China and places with similar conditions.

Advantages of Maize-Legume Intercropping Systems

An experiment was conducted during Kharif seasons of 2009 and 2010 on sandy loam soil of West Bengal, India to evaluate the productivity and economic viability of maize ＋ legume intercropping systems in additive as well as in replacement series with different row proportions. Maize （Zea rnays L.） cv. ＂Vijay＂ （composite）, green gram （Vigna radiata L.） cv. ＂Samrat＂, black gram （Vigna mungo L.） cv. ＂Sarada＂, soybean （Glycine max L. Merril） cv. ＂PK 327＂ and peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.） cv. ＂JL 24＂, were tested in monoculture as well as in intercropping situations with 1：1 （additive series） and 1：2 ratios （replacement series）. The result indicated that intercropped legumes improved the yield components of maize and offered some bonus yield. The highest maize grain yield （2,916.28 kg/ha） and maize equivalent yield （4,831.45 kg/ha） were recorded with maize ＋ green gram （1：1） and maize ＋ peanut （1：I）, respectively. The values of all the competition functions were always greater than unity and maize ＋ black gram （1：2） recorded the highest values of land equivalent ratio （1.433）, area time equivalent ratio （1.374） and land equivalent coefficient （0.421）. Maximum monetary advantage （Rs. 10,579.13） was found with maize ＋ green gam （l：1）. Maize ＋ peanut （1：2） combination recorded the highest relative net return （2.01）, net return （Rs. 28,523.08）, benefit-cost ratio （2.76） ad per day return （Rs. 259.30）.

Experimental studies on behavior of fully grouted reinforced-concrete masonry shear walls

An experimental study is conducted on fully grouted reinforced masonry shear walls (RMSWs) made from concrete blocks with a new configuration. Ten RMSWs are tested under reversed cyclic lateral load to investigate the influence of different reinforcements and applied axial stress values on their seismic behavior. The results show that flexural strength increases with the applied axial stress, and shear strength dominated by diagonal cracking increases with both the amount of horizontal reinforcement and applied axial stress. Yield displacement, ductility, and energy dissipation capability can be improved substantially by increasing the amount of horizontal reinforcement. The critical parameters for the walls are derived from the experiment: displacement ductility values corresponding to 15% strength degradation of the walls reach up to 2.6 and 4.5 in the shear and flexure failure modes, respectively; stiffness values of flexure- and shear-dominated walls rapidly degrade to 17%–19% and 48%–57% of initial stiffness at 0.50 Dmax (displacement at peak load). The experiment suggests that RMSWs could be assigned a higher damping ratio (～14%) for collapse prevention design and a lower damping value (～7%) for a fully operational limit state or serviceability limit state.

Wind-induced internal pressure fluctuations of structure with single windward opening

A frequency domain method for estimating wind-induced fluctuating internal pressure of structure with single windward opening is presented in this paper and wind tunnel tests were carried out to verify the theory. The nonlinear differential equation of internal pressure dynamics and iteration algorithm were applied to calculate fluctuating internal pressure and time domain analysis was used to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. A simplified estimation method is also provided and its scope of application is clarified. The mechanism of internal pressure fluctuation is obtained by using the proposed method in the frequency domain and a new equivalent opening ratio is defined to evaluate internal pressure fluctuation. A series of low-rise building models with various openings and internal volumes were designed for wind tunnel tests with results agreeing well with analytical results. It is shown that the proposed frequency domain method based on Gaussian distribution of internal pressure fluctuations can be applied to predict the RMS internal pressure coefficient with adequate accuracy for any opening dimensions, while the simplified method can only be used for structure with single dominant opening. Helmholtz resonance is likely to occur when the equivalent opening ratio is adequately high, and controlling individual opening dimension is an effective strategy for avoiding Helmholtz resonance in engineering.

Earthquake Analysis for the System of RC Building with a Steel Tower

A steel tower topping an RC building comprises a non-proportional damping structural sys- tem with different damping ratios. To compare the results from the non-proportional damping model and the equivalent damping model.the structural system was calculated with the two damping mod- els during earthquake respectively, using earthquake time history analysis computer program devel- oped by the authors. Differences in the calculated results of inner forces and displacements using the two damping models were observed. It is found that if the equivalent damping model is used in design, the consequence will be unsafe for the steel tower and too safe for the RC building at the same time.

Agronomic and Economic Evaluation for Intercropping between Chewing Cane and Peanut

[Objectives]To explore the proper intercropping pattern between chewing cane and peanut.[Methods]A field experiment was carried out to investigate the yield and economic benefit of chewing cane and peanut,as well as the changes in soil properties under different chewing cane/peanut intercropping patterns.Three chewing cane/peanut intercropping patterns were designed,in which with every row of chewing cane intercropping one row of peanut(CP_(1)),intercropping two rows of peanut(CP_(2))and chewing cane mono-cropping(MC).[Results]It had no significant effect on the agronomic characters of chewing cane and peanut in CP_(1)and CP_(2),compared with MC.The soil properties before the planting(BP)and after the harvest(AH)indicated that the chewing cane/peanut intercropping patterns significantly increased soil organic matter and soil available nitrogen contents,but decreased soil available potassium contents,and CP_(2)had better effect on soil structure than CP_(1).The total production value and economic benefit were increased significantly on the CP_(1)and CP_(2),comparing the MC,and the benefit of CP_(2)was higher significantly than that of CP_(1).The land equivalent ratios(LER)for CP_(1)and CP_(2)were 1.94 and 1.72,respectively,which was significantly higher than that of MC(0.83).Although planting cost was increased in chewing cane/peanut intercropping patterns partly,the production value and the profits were enhanced significantly.[Conclusions]CP_(2)could be significantly advantageous for the yield and benefits of chewing cane and peanut and soil properties.The favorable intercropping pattern for economic return would be one row of 120 cm width for chewing cane with two rows of peanut.

Laboratory investigation of the anisotropic confinement-dependent brittle-ductile transition of a Utah coal

This paper was developed as part of an effort by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)to identify risk factors associated with bumps in the prevention of fatalities and accidents in highly stressed,bump-prone ground conditions.Changes of failure mechanism with increasing confinement,from extensional-to shear-dominated failure,are widely observed in the rupture of intact specimens at the laboratory scale and in rock masses.In the previous analysis conducted in 2018,both unconfined and triaxial compressive tests were conducted to investigate the strength characteristics of some specimens of a Utah coal,including the spalling limits,the ratio of apparent unconfined compressive strength(AUCS)to unconfined compressive strength(UCS),the damage characteristics,and the postyield dilatancy.These mechanical characteristics were found to be strongly anisotropic as a function of the orientation of the cleats relative to the loading direction.However,the transition from extensional to shear failure at the given confinements was not clearly identified.In this study,a total of 20 specimens were additionally prepared from the same coal sample used in the previous study and then tested under both unconfined and triaxial compressive conditions.The different confining stresses are used as analogs for different width-to-height(W/H)ratios of pillar strength.Although the W/H ratios of the specimens were not directly considered during testing,the equivalent W/H ratios of a pillar as a function of the confining stresses were estimated using an existing empirical solution.According to this relationship,theW/H atwhich in-situ pillar behavior would be expected to transition from brittle to ductile is identified.